In Sri Lanka, elephants perform an important role in a range of traditional religious ceremonies. But dwindling numbers of pachyderms in captivity have led to a surge in illegal kidnapping of baby elephants

A park guard cautiously walks past seven-year old female elephant, "Ganga" who belongs to a Buddhist temple at a park in Colombo, Sri Lanka, June 14, 2012. Tamed elephants traditionally have an important role in the Island's religious ceremonies.

In Sri Lanka, elephants perform an important role in a range of traditional religious ceremonies. But dwindling numbers of pachyderms in captivity have led to a surge in illegal kidnapping of baby elephants